Search results for "Presynaptic Terminals"
showing 10 items of 30 documents
Reduced presynaptic efficiency of excitatory synaptic transmission impairs LTP in the visual cortex of BDNF-heterozygous mice
2006
The neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays an important role in neuronal survival, axonal and dendritic growth and synapse formation. BDNF has also been reported to mediate visual cortex plasticity. Here we studied the cellular mechanisms of BDNF-mediated changes in synaptic plasticity, excitatory synaptic transmission and long-term potentiation (LTP) in the visual cortex of heterozygous BDNF-knockout mice (BDNF(+/-)). Patch-clamp recordings in slices showed an approximately 50% reduction in the frequency of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) compared to wild-type animals, in the absence of changes in mEPSC amplitudes. A presynaptic impairment of excita…
Characterization of somatostatin- and cholecystokinin-immunoreactive periglomerular cells in the rat olfactory bulb.
2005
Periglomerular cells (PG) are interneurons of the olfactory bulb (OB) that modulate the first synaptic relay of the olfactory information from the olfactory nerve to the dendrites of the bulbar principal cells. Previous investigations have pointed to the heterogeneity of these interneurons and have demonstrated the presence of two different types of PG. In the rat OB, type 1 PG receive synaptic contacts from the olfactory axons and are γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic, whereas type 2 PG do not receive synaptic contacts from the olfactory axons and are GABA immunonegative. In this study, we analyze and characterize neurochemically a group of PG that has not been previously classified either …
Synaptic connectivity of serotonergic axons in the olfactory glomeruli of the rat olfactory bulb.
2010
Although the major mode of transmission for serotonin in the brain is volume transmission, previous anatomical studies have demonstrated that serotonergic axons do form synaptic contacts. The olfactory glomeruli of the olfactory bulb of mammals receive a strong serotonergic innervation from the dorsal and medial raphe nuclei. In the present report, we investigate the synaptic connectivity of these serotonergic axons in the glomerular neuropil of the rat olfactory bulb. Our study shows that serotonergic axons form asymmetrical synaptic contacts on dendrites within the glomerular neuropil. Analyzing the neurochemical nature of the synaptic targets, we have found that 55% of the synapses were …
Nitric oxide synthase containing periglomerular cells are GABAergic in the rat olfactory bulb.
2003
In the olfactory glomeruli of the rat olfactory bulb, there is a population of periglomerular cells (PG) that contains the neuronal isoform of the nitric oxide synthase (nNOS). To date, these PG have not been characterized neurochemically and it has not been determined whether they are type 1 (GABAergic PG that receive synaptic contacts from the olfactory axons) or type 2 PG (non-GABAergic PG that do not receive synapses from the olfactory axons). Combining pre-embedding NADPH-diaphorase histochemistry and post-embedding immunoperoxidase detection of GABA, we demonstrate that nNOS-containing PG are GABAergic and therefore, belong to the type 1 PG. The possible actions of nitric oxide in the…
Abnormal accumulation of autophagic vesicles correlates with axonal and synaptic pathology in young Alzheimer's mice hippocampus
2012
Dystrophic neurites associated with amyloid plaques precede neuronal death and manifest early in Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this work we have characterized the plaque-associated neuritic pathology in the hippocampus of young (4- to 6-month-old) PS1(M146L)/APP(751SL) mice model, as the initial degenerative process underlying functional disturbance prior to neuronal loss. Neuritic plaques accounted for almost all fibrillar deposits and an axonal origin of the dystrophies was demonstrated. The early induction of autophagy pathology was evidenced by increased protein levels of the autophagosome marker LC3 that was localized in the axonal dystrophies, and by electron microscopic identification…
Presynaptic CB1 Receptors Regulate Synaptic Plasticity at Cerebellar Parallel Fiber Synapses
2011
Endocannabinoids are potent regulators of synaptic strength. They are generally thought to modify neurotransmitter release through retrograde activation of presynaptic type 1 cannabinoid receptors (CB1Rs). In the cerebellar cortex, CB1Rs regulate several forms of synaptic plasticity at synapses onto Purkinje cells, including presynaptically expressed short-term plasticity and, somewhat paradoxically, a postsynaptic form of long-term depression (LTD). Here we have generated mice in which CB1Rs were selectively eliminated from cerebellar granule cells, whose axons form parallel fibers. We find that in these mice, endocannabinoid-dependent short-term plasticity is eliminated at parallel fiber…
Identification of a β-Dystroglycan Immunoreactive Subcompartment in Photoreceptor Terminals
2005
PURPOSE Mutations in the dystrophin-associated glycoprotein complex (DGC) cause various forms of muscular dystrophy. These diseases are characterized by progressive loss of skeletal muscle tissue and by dysfunctions in the central nervous system (CNS). The CNS deficits include an altered electroretinogram, caused by an impaired synaptic transmission between photoreceptors and their postsynaptic target cells in the outer plexiform layer (OPL). The DGC is concentrated in the OPL but its exact distribution is controversial. Therefore, the precise distribution of beta-dystroglycan, the central component of the DGC, within the OPL of the mature chick retina, was determined. METHODS Double immuno…
Chelation of synaptic zinc induces overexcitation in the hilar mossy cells of the rat hippocampus.
2004
Complete removal of synaptic zinc by the chelator dietyldithiocarbamate (DEDTC; 500 mg/kg i.p.) in rat was followed by convulsive behaviour including wet dog shakes alternating immobility. Histological analysis 1 day after DEDTC administration detected expression of heat shock protein in the hippocampus restricted to hilar cells. These cells colocalize the marker for neurons and the glutamate receptor GluR2/3 showing that they are excitatory neurons. Additionally, they projected to the contralateral dentate gyrus. Therefore, they correspond to hilar mossy cells. These data show that the synaptic zinc has a role in normal hippocampus avoiding overexcitation, that would impair functionality e…
Functional relevance of presynaptic muscarinic autoreceptors.
1993
Pre- and postsynaptic muscarinic receptors have been characterized in the isolated trachea and ileal circular muscle of the guinea pig. The muscarinic autoreceptors mediating inhibition of acetylcholine release in the circular muscle belong to the M1 subtype, whereas those inhibiting acetylcholine release in the trachea are M2 or M4 receptors. In both tissues the postsynaptic muscarinic receptors are M3 receptors. Blockade of the autoreceptors by selective M1 and M2/M4 receptor antagonists leads to facilitation of cholinergic neurotransmission.
Perivascular nerve fiber α-synuclein regulates contractility of mouse aorta: A link to autonomic dysfunction in Parkinson's disease
2010
Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders associated to changes in alpha-synuclein often result in autonomic dysfunction, most of the time accompanied by abundant expression of this synaptic protein in peripheral autonomic neurons. Given that expression of alpha-synuclein in vascular elements has been previously reported, the present study was undertaken to determine whether alpha-synuclein directly participates in the regulation of vascular responsiveness. We detected by immunohistochemistry perivascular nerve fibers containing alpha-synuclein in the aorta of mice while aortic endothelial cells and muscular fibers themselves did not exhibit detectable levels of this protein…